Boy with Wings is a story of the sacrifices and freedom inherent in making one’s own special way—and of love and the miracles that give our lives meaning.
About Boy with Wings
What does it mean to be different?
When Johnny Cruel is born with strange appendages on his back in the 1930s South, the locals think he’s a devil. Determined to protect him, his mother fakes his death, and they flee. Thus begins Johnny’s yearslong struggle to find a place he belongs. From a turpentine camp of former slaves to a freak show run by a dwarf who calls herself Tiny Tot and on to the Florida capitol building, Johnny finds himself working alongside other outcasts, struggling to answer the question of his existence. Is he a horror, a wonder, or an angel? Should he hide himself to live his life? Accompanying Johnny’s journey through love, betrayal, heartbreak, and several murders, Boy with Wings is a story of the sacrifices and freedom inherent in making one’s own special way—and of love and the miracles that give our lives meaning.
Mark Mustian is the author of the novel The Gendarme, an international bestseller shortlisted for the Saroyan International Award for Writing and published in ten languages, and the new novel Boy With Wings, winner of the 2025 Grand Prize for Fiction from Next Generation Indie Book Awards. He’s the founder of the Word of South Festival of Literature and Music in Tallahassee, Florida, and lives in Florida and Michigan.
Wild Moon sheds light on the fascinating behavior of some of the Earth’s most extraordinary creatures as told by the Moon.
About Wild Moon: How the Lunar Phases Light Up Our World
A picture book featuring the eight lunar phases of the moon and how they affect wildlife on Earth told from the perspective of the moon.
Some of Earth’s most extraordinary creatures have fascinating connections to our mysterious friend, the Moon.
Did you know that the low glow of a waxing crescent moon helps dung beetles scurry home? Or that coral spawns when the Moon is full?
Wild Moon sheds light on the fascinating behavior of some of the Earth’s most extraordinary creatures in this whimsical nonfiction picture book, perfect for fans of MOON! Earth’s Best Friend and Bedtime for Bo.
Our Thoughts
Admittedly, I am not as knowledgeable as I should be about the phases of the moon and the impact it has on our planet, the animals and even us. I know some of the basics (orbit, spin, the tides, etc..) but with the turn of each page of this book we were taken on an adventure to understand how truly incredible the moon is. We learned about the new moon and the predator’s hunt, the waxing crescent and the Milky Way, the first quarter and foraging, and the full moon and nesting. We even learned about the Supermoon, Micromoon and the Blood Moon.
This beautiful book gives an age appropriate overview of the phases of the moon, and all that it impacts while we are asleep. Page by page we learn the impact of the phases of the moon on our animal friends, many of which both myself and my kids were not aware of, like how the bright light of a full moon causes white-browed sparrow weavers to sing and hunt insects before dawn.
The illustrations in this book are spectacular and help to bring the story to life. The shades on each page perfectly match the phase of the moon, along with the impact that this would have on the wildlife. Your eyes are naturally drawn from the moon to the animal that the phase impacts, before taking in the beauty of the background.
Wild Moon is a book you can enjoy over and over with your children, a must have addition in your home library. You can purchase a copy of Wild Moon on Amazon and Indigo.
About the Author
Andie Powers is a writer for children. She is the author of I Am Quiet: A Story for the Introvert in All of Us, which earned a starred review from Booklist, was a Kids’ Indie Next Pick for May/June 2022, and winner of the Goodreads 2022 Choice Awards for Best Children’s or Middle Grade Book, and has been translated into ten languages. The follow-up, I Am Bold: For Every Kid Who’s Told They’re Just Too Much was released in April of 2024 to praising reviews. Her most recent picture book, Wild Moon: How the Lunar Phases Light Up Our World earned a starred review from School Library Journal, and was released on September 16, 2025.
Her previously published works include Bravery Magazine, Root & Star, Bright Lite, The Horn Book Guide, Uppercase Magazine, Seattle’s Child, Apartment Therapy, and The Bedford Reader. She currently lives and works in Seattle with her husband, her two daughters, and a dog named Ralph S. Mouse (aka Ralphie).
Disclosure: I received a copy of this book in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.
Bold, Brilliant and Latine is an empowering book for children and families to diversify their perspectives through Latine and Hispanic history and achievements, with one new figure to explore each week of the year.
About Bold, Brilliant and Latine
Bold, Brilliant and Latine is the next book in the bestselling series See Yourself in Their Stories, which has sold more than 185,000 copies worldwide. Young Latine and Hispanic children can see themselves reflected in the fifty two amazing heroes from the past and present, whom everyone can look up to.
This book features icons like:
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez – Politician, the youngest woman ever to be elected to Congress
Lionel Messi – Superstar soccer player
Sonia Sotomayor – US Supreme Court Justice
Frida Kahlo – Iconic artist
Cesar Chavez – Activist and labour leader
Ellen Ochoa – First Latina astronaut in space
Lin-Manuel Miranda – Actor, composer, creator of Broadway musicals
Kids will be inspired by the stories, from sporting legends to fashion icons, political leaders to fearless changemakers, as well as renowned writers, musicians, artists, scientists and more. These heroes’ lives are vividly recounted by queer award-winning Dominican and Puerto Rican storyteller Alyssa Reynoso-Morris and brought to life by Argentinian illustrator Sol Cotti.
This anthology is also ideal for homeschoolers and educators looking to diversify their perspectives through Latine and Hispanic history and achievements, with one new figure to explore each week of the year.
Proud, talented and boundless, these extraordinary men and women will inspire readers of all backgrounds to chase their dreams, whatever they may be!
Our Thoughts
We all know and understand the importance for children (and people in general) to see themselves represented in books, movies and commercials. Young children need to see themselves and be able to dream of themselves in these roles, and accomplishing their dreams. This has never been more true as now, when at times it feels like the world is full of stereotypes, hate and fear.
What I love the most about this book is that it never focused on one type of dream – it included individuals of all backgrounds, and achievements. I learned a lot by going through this book, I cannot even begin to imagine how much a young child of Latine background would feel going through this book. I learned about the Mirabal sisters, whose legacy was honoured in 1999 when the United Nations designated November 25th as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, Cesar Chavez, who established the National Farm Workers Association (later to become the United Farm Workers Union) and Evelyn Cisneros, who was the first Latina prima ballerina in the United States! While these were three that really stood out to me, there are many more achievements and individuals who broke down barriers and achieved so much.
This book would be not only a lovely addition to an at home library, but also for educators. It gives a great starting point for children to engage with an inspiring individual and encourage them to want to learn more.
The illustrations are incredible and very much reflect and celebrate Hispanic culture. Sol did a wonderful job bringing the individuals, their achievements and culture alive.
You can purchase a copy of this book on Amazon and Indigo.
About the Author
Alyssa Reynoso-Morrisis a queer Afro-Latine/x Dominican and Puerto Rican award-winning storyteller. Her ability to weave compelling stories has opened many doors for her as an author and speaker. She is also a mother and community organizer. During the day, she works with community members, non-profit organizations, and government officials to make the world a better place. Then she puts her writer’s hat on to craft heartfelt stories about home, family, food, and the fun places she has been.
Alyssa was born and raised in The Bronx, New York, and currently lives in Philadelphia, PA, with her partner and daughter. She is the author of Plátanos Are Love, The Bronx Is My Home, and Gloriana Presente: A First Day of School Book.
About the Illustrator
Sol Cotti is a Latina illustrator from Buenos Aires, Argentina, where she graduated in Communications and Advertising. With a focus on advertising and editorial projects, she likes to tell fresh visual stories through a bright color palette, using a bold, simple and loose style mixing linework, subtle textures and organic shapes. Gender, women empowerment, diversity in all its ways, and everyday situations inspire her to create diverse characters and energetic compositions full of movement. Her work has been recognized by the Society of Illustrators, American Illustration and Communication Arts.
Disclosure: I received a copy of this book in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.
A riveting story of faith, passion, and selfless devotion, STONES RIVER shows the power of love to overcome all obstacles—even death itself.
About Stones River: A Civil War Story of Courage, Sacrifice, and an Otherworldly Love
When Jessie Gibbs meets Lemuel Sanders, she thinks she has finally found her ideal man—until she discovers that he is the ghost of a Civil War soldier. For 144 years, Lem has kept vigil at his unmarked battlefield grave, seeking someone to complete a personal mission so he can go to his final rest. As love grows between them, Jessie is torn. If she succeeds in fulfilling Lem’s wish, she’ll lose him when he passes into the afterlife. But if she fails and he remains in the world, she’ll never be free to find intimacy with a living man.
A riveting story of faith, passion, and selfless devotion, STONES RIVER shows the power of love to overcome all obstacles—even death itself.
STONES RIVER is Book I of The Sentinel Heart Trilogy, with Book II, SOLDIER’S JOY, coming out in 2026!
Before beginning to write full-time in 2008, M. F. (Mimi) Jones was an editor at Viking Press, where she discovered Judith Guest’s bestseller ORDINARY PEOPLE in the slush pile and became its editor. She went on to senior editorial positions at Redbook, Family Circle, and Reader’s Digest magazines. In addition to writing, she’s a devotee of reading, knitting (while listening to audiobooks), choral singing, and hiking with her rescue dog, Ruby. She lives in Tennessee with her husband, composer Douglas Hedwig.
Kai the Dancing Butterfly celebrates Taiwan’s natural scenic wonders, amazing animal species, and incredible Indigenous cultures.
About Kai the Dancing Butterfly
Kai and Ami are dancing butterflies from Taiwan! They have a performance coming up at the Winter Festival dance show in the southern part of the island. They are currently in northern Taiwan, so they need to hurry and start flying south. That’s far for a butterfly! Kai is worried about the long journey, and about the big show too. Can Kai step up to the challenge?
Kai the Dancing Butterfly celebrates Taiwan’s natural scenic wonders, amazing animal species, and incredible Indigenous cultures. This children’s book is a marvelous read for all those who love Taiwan, or for those who’d like to learn more about Taiwanese culture.
This elaborately illustrated picture book makes an ideal gift:
Real locations in Taiwan make for an inspiring geography, history and cultural lesson
Storyline sparks dialogue around empathy, kindness, courage, faith, perseverance, friendship, and the support between siblings
Exquisite illustrations of Taiwan’s majestic animals and endangered species fosters learning around ecological conservation and habitat protection
Crystal Z. Lee is a bilingual writer who grew up in Taiwan and California. She has called many places home, including Taipei, New York, Shanghai, and the San Francisco Bay Area. Crystal is also the author of the children’s book A Unicorn Named Rin, and the novel, Love and Other Moods.
Allie Su was born and raised in Yunlin county, Taiwan. She attended Nanhua University in Chiayi city, majoring in Visual Arts. She is a professional illustrator, specializing in oil painting and ink painting.
